Piedras Colony, Las (Bolivia)

The Las Piedras (I) colony was established in 1968 by Old Colony Mennonites from the Peace River area in Alberta, Canada. Approximately 90-100 families moved to Las Piedras directly from Canada. This colony is located 123 km. (75 mi.) northwest of Santa Cruz. There are no direct relationships between the church of this colony and the rest of the Old Colony Mennonites in Bolivia. In 1986 Las Piedras had a population of 594 people with about 200 church members. The bishop of this group in 1987 was Isaac Goertzen.

Las Piedras II was started in 1983 as a branch colony of Las Piedras. It is located north of Tres Cruces. It was also under the leadership of Bishop Isaac Goertzen. In 1986 the population of this young colony consisted of 382 people with 115 church members.